Strawberries and Cream Bars
Strawberries and Cream Bars are made with a soft cookie like base, cream cheese fruit filling, and topped with a creamy glaze. Best fruit dessert bars ever!
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24 slices
Calories: 283kcal
For the crust:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- 3 eggs large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 4-½ cups all purpose flour
For the filling:
- 4 cups diced strawberries
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons white granulated sugar
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt or sour cream
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For the icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 3 Tablespoons whole milk OR lemon juice
- (optional) zest of one lemon
For the crust:
In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together softened butter and white sugar 3-5 minutes until fluffy and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each egg. Add vanilla and mix well.
Add salt, baking powder, and flour and mix on low speed until combined. Reserve one heaping cup of dough for topping the bars. Roll remaining dough into prepared cookie/baking sheet.
For the filling:
Combine strawberries, lemon juice, and 2 Tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl and let sit 5-10 minutes to release juices. Can be done ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to use.
In clean bowl of stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, plain greek yogurt, and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time and mix well between. Add vanilla and mix well. Pour over crust and spread evenly.
Spread strawberry mixture evenly over cream cheese filling, being careful not to mix together. Spread 1 cup reserved crust dough evenly over filing in flattened pieces. Bake @ 350 for 30 minutes, until middle is set and jiggly.
For the icing:
While bars are baking, combine powdered sugar, milk (or lemon juice), and vanilla. After bars have cooled for 15-20 minutes, drizzle over bars and allow to harden before slicing and serving. Best served at room temperature.
Store covered at room temperature for 1-2 days or refrigerated 2-3 days. Storing in the fridge can dry out the bars.
Inspired by The Recipe Critic